Singletrack Forum » Topic: Specialized's Rear Suspension set up.Impressed! is it the best?http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/specializeds-rear-suspension-set-upimpressed-is-it-the-best
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brant on "Specialized's Rear Suspension set up.Impressed! is it the best?"http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/specializeds-rear-suspension-set-upimpressed-is-it-the-best/page/3#post-5770663
Thu, 13 Feb 2014 10:12:44 +0000brant5770663@http://singletrackworld.com/forum/<p>Split Pivot, as far as pedalling goes, is a single pivot. The only difference is it's difference in distribution of braking forces.
</p>mildred on "Specialized's Rear Suspension set up.Impressed! is it the best?"http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/specializeds-rear-suspension-set-upimpressed-is-it-the-best/page/3#post-5770374
Thu, 13 Feb 2014 03:01:54 +0000mildred5770374@http://singletrackworld.com/forum/<p>There's no 'best' suspension design. I have a Horst link &amp; a single pivot - both work brilliantly, but both were vastly improved with a shock tune (tuned to <em>my</em> liking you understand).</p>
<p>Northwind touched on to earlier talking about his Orange - you ride the one that makes you smile the most. Try lots out and short list a few to try again once you've got an idea of what you like.
</p>esher shore on "Specialized's Rear Suspension set up.Impressed! is it the best?"http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/specializeds-rear-suspension-set-upimpressed-is-it-the-best/page/3#post-5769768
Wed, 12 Feb 2014 21:49:56 +0000esher shore5769768@http://singletrackworld.com/forum/<p>best suspension bike I owned for trail riding and all round hooligan action was my Devinci Dixon with the DW designed Split Pivot suspension, Fox RP23 with Fox air volume tuning kit. </p>
<p><img src="http://ep1.pinkbike.org/p4pb7213909/p4pb7213909.jpg"></p>
<p>Have owned lots of VPP, simple single pivots and FSR / four-bar (horst pivot) and faux-bar bikes, probably 40+ suspension bikes in total.</p>
<p>The Dixon had the balance of a bike that could be hammered under power without bouncing or squatting (an issue with my FSR's), whilst maintaining amazing traction on horrible terrain, especially when braking hard. </p>
<p>Don't claim to understand the science, it just plain worked. Rarely touched the pro-pedal level on the RP23 shock, unlike on my FSR where is was constantly used to increase compression damping and make the bike somewhat pedallable </p>
<p>the other thing I really liked about the Dixon is that each pivot had the same (large) sealed bearing and sensible hard wearing axle pivot hardware, which meant it rarely required any looking after!
</p>jacob46 on "Specialized's Rear Suspension set up.Impressed! is it the best?"http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/specializeds-rear-suspension-set-upimpressed-is-it-the-best/page/3#post-5769585
Wed, 12 Feb 2014 20:53:18 +0000jacob465769585@http://singletrackworld.com/forum/<p><blockquote>The mathematics show this is the best design. You will be very happy to ride this bike!<blockquote></p>
<p>thank you!
</p>holst on "Specialized's Rear Suspension set up.Impressed! is it the best?"http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/specializeds-rear-suspension-set-upimpressed-is-it-the-best/page/3#post-5768565
Wed, 12 Feb 2014 14:52:01 +0000holst5768565@http://singletrackworld.com/forum/<p>The mathematics show this is the best design. You will be very happy to ride this bike.
</p>tomaso on "Specialized's Rear Suspension set up.Impressed! is it the best?"http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/specializeds-rear-suspension-set-upimpressed-is-it-the-best/page/3#post-5768446
Wed, 12 Feb 2014 14:22:02 +0000tomaso5768446@http://singletrackworld.com/forum/<p>Going out with a mixed bunch of riders up and down stuff all on different pivot/suspension linkages tells me repeatedly that the differences are small these days and that the evolution and refinement of technology is such that they all work well.</p>
<p>The biggest variable factor on a bicycle (of a reasonable quality not an ASDA two for £99 special) is the rider.
</p>Pimpmaster Jazz on "Specialized's Rear Suspension set up.Impressed! is it the best?"http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/specializeds-rear-suspension-set-upimpressed-is-it-the-best/page/3#post-5768293
Wed, 12 Feb 2014 13:50:52 +0000Pimpmaster Jazz5768293@http://singletrackworld.com/forum/<p><blockquote>I believe that the shock tune will effect the way it feels a lot more than the type of linkage its self.</blockquote></p>
<p>I think that definitely plays a large part, especially in these days of platforms and double barrels.</p>
<p>I think it also depends on how much you like changing bearings. Worthy of consideration if you plan on keeping a suss bike for more than a year...
</p>andybrad on "Specialized's Rear Suspension set up.Impressed! is it the best?"http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/specializeds-rear-suspension-set-upimpressed-is-it-the-best/page/3#post-5768237
Wed, 12 Feb 2014 13:39:54 +0000andybrad5768237@http://singletrackworld.com/forum/<p>Interesting. I do wonder how many people have actually ridden a lot of different designs. Of a similar era. Its easy to say that one is better than another but when you take the component into account then its a different ball game. I believe that the shock tune will effect the way it feels a lot more than the type of linkage its self. It is entirely possible to get a horst link with a cheap shock to feel rubbish compared to a sp with one of these new fangled super dooper socks. and visa versa. </p>
<p>However its different stokes for different blokes. Some people like 29ers, some people dont. its all in the individual. Personally (and riding a 2013 five) i think the horst link is a very good design. I also think half of them are made up marketing gimmicks.
</p>jameso on "Specialized's Rear Suspension set up.Impressed! is it the best?"http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/specializeds-rear-suspension-set-upimpressed-is-it-the-best/page/3#post-5768177
Wed, 12 Feb 2014 13:24:55 +0000jameso5768177@http://singletrackworld.com/forum/<p><blockquote>But it's always felt like a lot of "suspension innovation" is really just lawyer-avoidance. </blockquote>There's a lot of legal engineering involved, yes. It's interesting how well sealed most of the newer US ones are now, or become after a revision or 2. I think a lot of it is bllx and a SP has a lot going for it still.
</p>deanfbm on "Specialized's Rear Suspension set up.Impressed! is it the best?"http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/specializeds-rear-suspension-set-upimpressed-is-it-the-best/page/3#post-5768158
Wed, 12 Feb 2014 13:21:08 +0000deanfbm5768158@http://singletrackworld.com/forum/<p>Even though others have said (including a bike designer), get past the "layout" of the suspension, it tells you nothing. Yes a maestro will be optimised a certain way, fsr will be optimised in a different way, but they're variations on the same layout. However a maestro and fsr could perform identically if the designers had the same design beliefs. What is different is what the designer has CHOSEN to optimise certain trait based on THEIR design beliefs, whose beliefs may or may not syncronise with YOUR beliefs.</p>
<p>Plus that age old saying "you can't have your cake and eat it". It's all a balancing act of compromises, comprimises that are dictacted by the designer, not the general layout of suspension.
</p>D0NK on "Specialized's Rear Suspension set up.Impressed! is it the best?"http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/specializeds-rear-suspension-set-upimpressed-is-it-the-best/page/3#post-5768078
Wed, 12 Feb 2014 13:01:58 +0000D0NK5768078@http://singletrackworld.com/forum/<p><blockquote>I wonder if complicated suspension platforms are just compensating for people pedalling like gorillas?</blockquote>I really liked my coil single pivot, my first FSer, very plush but it weighed a fair bit and air shocks were becoming de rigeur so when I wanted a new frame my reasoning went coil shocks are plusher than air so I'll need a more elegant suspension design for an air shock to match it. No doubt flawed logic.</p>
<p>IIRC lowey of this parish bought a DW turner and for the first few weeks he was convinced it was trying to kill him, tucking and bucking at various inopportune moments. He had a chat with Mr Turner, set the shock up as per his advice and now loves it.
</p>adsh on "Specialized's Rear Suspension set up.Impressed! is it the best?"http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/specializeds-rear-suspension-set-upimpressed-is-it-the-best/page/3#post-5768062
Wed, 12 Feb 2014 12:58:22 +0000adsh5768062@http://singletrackworld.com/forum/<p>How about DW? I've been impressed at the grip, lack of bob and lack of fiddling. Leave shock fully open end of unless you particularly want to stomp on the pedals on a tarmac hill.
</p>Northwind on "Specialized's Rear Suspension set up.Impressed! is it the best?"http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/specializeds-rear-suspension-set-upimpressed-is-it-the-best/page/2#post-5768059
Wed, 12 Feb 2014 12:57:27 +0000Northwind5768059@http://singletrackworld.com/forum/<p>I think it's a hard thing to be really analytical about. Like, in technical terms, the suspension on my Orange is a bag of assorted shit. Big forward axle path, falling rate in the end stroke, bags of pedal and brake feedback, and it pedals like a blancmange. But the bike as a whole is a brilliant laugh to ride so you end up going away thinking "I like this" even though there's quite a bit that's arguably wrong with it and some things that are completely ass-backwards. But if you put the same behaviour in a different bike you could easily find it's fit for the bin. And most people don't really have the capability to experiment widely, you can't move pivots much.</p>
<p>This thread needs more Vouilloz.
</p>Pimpmaster Jazz on "Specialized's Rear Suspension set up.Impressed! is it the best?"http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/specializeds-rear-suspension-set-upimpressed-is-it-the-best/page/2#post-5768029
Wed, 12 Feb 2014 12:48:54 +0000Pimpmaster Jazz5768029@http://singletrackworld.com/forum/<p><blockquote>Peddling a bike ought to be the same for everyone... shouldn't it - unless your legs sprout from the side of your head - or you prefer to sit facing backwards or something?</blockquote></p>
<p>You're new here aren't you. <img src="http://singletrackworld.com/forum/my-plugins/bbcode-buttons/default/icon_wink.gif" title=";)" class="bb_smilies" alt=""/> </p>
<p><blockquote>Now, you see, that's a setup that I'm pretty sure I'd hate. But if I were fitter, stronger and not racing anybody it may be fine.</blockquote></p>
<p>I think that's the point I was trying to make. At that time I was fit, could spin seated (and keep upper body movement to a minimum - it all helps) or grind out of the saddle (which again seemed to help alleviate bob) but I wasn't racing, and most climbs were either short and sharp or long and gradual.</p>
<p>Would it work everywhere? No. Would it work for everyone? Again, no. But it's certainly possible to adapt to, and I actually like the simplicity of doing away for a lot of the more fiddley technology, and being left with a suspension system that gripped on the ups and was very supple on the downs.
</p>mikewsmith on "Specialized's Rear Suspension set up.Impressed! is it the best?"http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/specializeds-rear-suspension-set-upimpressed-is-it-the-best/page/2#post-5768021
Wed, 12 Feb 2014 12:44:55 +0000mikewsmith5768021@http://singletrackworld.com/forum/<p>and having tried plenty I still don't get on with SP that well for pedalling hard. Regardless of the shock it just doesn't play well enough for out of the saddle smashing it.<br />
Happy with more efficient bikes
</p>clubber on "Specialized's Rear Suspension set up.Impressed! is it the best?"http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/specializeds-rear-suspension-set-upimpressed-is-it-the-best/page/2#post-5768015
Wed, 12 Feb 2014 12:42:25 +0000clubber5768015@http://singletrackworld.com/forum/<p>I forgot to list that one <img src="http://singletrackworld.com/forum/my-plugins/bbcode-buttons/default/icon_smile.gif" title=":)" class="bb_smilies" alt=""/> </p>ndthornton on "Specialized's Rear Suspension set up.Impressed! is it the best?"http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/specializeds-rear-suspension-set-upimpressed-is-it-the-best/page/2#post-5768011
Wed, 12 Feb 2014 12:41:23 +0000ndthornton5768011@http://singletrackworld.com/forum/<p><blockquote>Stop peddling your assumptions!</p>
<p>We don't all pedal the same </blockquote></p>
<p>side saddle?
</p>clubber on "Specialized's Rear Suspension set up.Impressed! is it the best?"http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/specializeds-rear-suspension-set-upimpressed-is-it-the-best/page/2#post-5768005
Wed, 12 Feb 2014 12:39:19 +0000clubber5768005@http://singletrackworld.com/forum/<p>Stop peddling your assumptions!</p>
<p>We don't all pedal the same. Some people spin, some grind, some like to move around the bike lots, others don't. Some stand lots, others rarely do. Some people are heavier than others, stronger than others, more or less circular in their pedalling, etc. etc. Some will compromise pedaling efficiency for better DH performance, others will be the other way around. Some poeple like their suspension to move loads and be really sensitive, others just want it to work well on bigger hits.
</p>ndthornton on "Specialized's Rear Suspension set up.Impressed! is it the best?"http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/specializeds-rear-suspension-set-upimpressed-is-it-the-best/page/2#post-5767999
Wed, 12 Feb 2014 12:38:07 +0000ndthornton5767999@http://singletrackworld.com/forum/<p><blockquote>without assuming that you're able to make absolute statements for how they work for everyone else. </blockquote></p>
<p>Peddling a bike ought to be the same for everyone... shouldn't it - unless your legs sprout from the side of your head - or you prefer to sit facing backwards or something?
</p>xiphon on "Specialized's Rear Suspension set up.Impressed! is it the best?"http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/specializeds-rear-suspension-set-upimpressed-is-it-the-best/page/2#post-5767994
Wed, 12 Feb 2014 12:37:10 +0000xiphon5767994@http://singletrackworld.com/forum/<p><blockquote>hows that pedantic - I am about to spend a months income on something.....<br />
Shall I get something that kinda works or just works - for the same money in a lot of cases.</blockquote></p>
<p>I spent a tiny fraction of your months wages on a 10 year old frame - as I like the way the suspension "works".</p>
<p>To me, it "works" better than the 'equivalent' 2014 frame.
</p>